L-Lunch, D-Dinner, BB-Bed and breakfast, LDBB-Lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast, Trsf-Transfer, E-Early morning game drive, A-Morning game drive, P-Afternoon game drive, HDS-Half Day sightseeing, FDS-Full Day Sightseeing
Day 1 Samburu Game Reserve
Our guide driver will meet you at the hotel after breakfast, help you load your luggage into the safari land cruiser then proceed to Samburu. We arrive at lodge/camp to a warm welcome then lunch. We enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive. The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic Northern species; including the Gerenuk (Twiga gazelle) due to her long neck, the beisa Oryx, the Reticulated Giraffe, the Somali ostrich and Grevy’s Zebra. Samburu is also an ornithological paradise, home to many birds including local species such as the Palm Nut Vulture and the Vivacious Dove. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the lodge/camp.
Meals: LDBB
Kawaida Series: Samburu Sopa Lodge (***) | Fedha Series: Sarova Shaba Lodge (****)
Ndhahabu Series: Elephant Bedroom Camp (*****)
Day 2 Samburu Game Reserve
Enjoy full day of morning and afternoon game viewing in both Samburu and Buffalo Springs game reserves. Leopards are often seen at dusk. The Samburu culture is a truly fascinating one, sharing a great deal of ancestral and linguistic ties to the Maasai. The entire Samburu region is a place of breath-taking and magical beauty, a place where the vision of a deep red sunset silhouetting the doum palms along the river as a leopard emerges to hunt brings the perfect end to a day on safari…… Enjoy meals and overnight at our lodge/camp.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Visit to a Samburu Manyatta to see how the tribe lives in this harsh surrounding.
Meals: LDBB
Kawaida Series: Samburu Sopa Lodge (***) | Fedha Series: Sarova Shaba Lodge (****)
Ndhahabu Series: Elephant Bedroom Camp (*****)
Day 3 Mount Kenya National Park
After breakfast depart south on a scenic drive to the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya arriving at your Tree Lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon proceed on a forest nature walk with a professional (armed) guide. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight floodlit game viewing.
Please note: A warm jacket/sweater and a good pair of hiking boots is highly recommended esp. for those who would like to experience an exciting bush walk through the Mount Kenya Forest.
Meals: LDBB
Accommodation Options: Mountain Lodge or similar
Day 4 Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park to arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon proceed on a game viewing drive circumventing Lake Nakuru. The lake is situated in the heart of the Rift Valley and is one Kenya’s most famous soda lakes. A major feature of this park is the bird life and it is world renowned as the home for millions of Flamingos. A rhino sanctuary also provides the opportunity to see the greatly endangered black rhino. Return to the camp for dinner and overnight.
Meals: LDBB
Kawaida Series: Lake Nakuru Lodge (***) | Fedha Series: Sarova Lionhill Lodge (****)
Ndahabu Series: Mbweha Camp (*****)
Day 5 Masai Mara Game Reserve
After breakfast depart for Kenya’s famous game reserve. You start the day venturing through the Great Rift Valley travelling to the northern most extension of the Serengeti Plains and one of the richest wildlife Game Reserves, the Masai Mara. The Mara is home to the awesome black-manned lion, the elusive leopard, stately giraffes, vast herds of elephants, rhino, thundering herds of zebra, migrating wildebeest and numerous other plains game. You arrive at the camp for a late lunch. After lunch depart for an afternoon game-viewing drive. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the camp.
Meals: LDBB
Kawaida Series: Mara Sopa Lodge (***) | Fedha Series: Sarova Mara Camp (****)
Ndahabu Series: Tipilikwani Luxury Tented Camp (*****)
Day 6 Masai Mara Game Reserve
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and a full morning’s game viewing drive to return for lunch. Experience the friendly atmosphere where the Masai community lives in harmony with wild game. After lunch visit a traditional Masai Manyatta (off the beaten track) and experience the culture of this world famous community. The Masai still live as they did for centuries – Interact with these nomadic people and experience their way of life as you learn about their customs and traditions. Continue with the afternoon game viewing as you return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Balloon Safari over the Mara plains followed by a champagne breakfast.
Meals: LDBB
Kawaida Series: Mara Sopa Lodge (***) | Fedha Series: Sarova Mara Camp (****)
Ndahabu Series: Tipilikwani Luxury Tented Camp (*****)
Day 7 Nairobi
This morning we enjoy our breakfast then check-out. Unbelievable but true, our good bush moments have come to an end. We bid farewell to our wonderful lodge manager and his team then depart back to Nairobi. Not empty handed though. With us are photographs – a capture of the special moments we have had on this tour to immortalize the experience. Our guide driver will drop you at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport for your onward flight.
ASANTE SANA NA SAFARI NJEMA!
Prices in US Dollar (USD)
Adult: 2 Child: 0 Infant: 0
Validity Rates per person sharing
High Season – from US$ 2,310
16th June – 30th June
01 July – 31st October
22nd Dec – 2nd Jan
Mid-Season – from US$ 2,061
2nd Jan – 31st March
01st Nov- 21st Dec
Low Season – from US$ 1,890
01st April – 15th June
QUOTE INCLUDES
1. Arrival transfer from/ to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
2. Met in our unique style with wet towels and ‘bubbly’
3. Complimentary Authentic Branded Safari Hat and safari essentials pack
4. Use of Sir Michaels 4×4 Safari Van with pop up roof top on safari
5. Unlimited supply of bottled, drinking water in the vehicle while on safari
6. Unlimited mileage on game viewing drives.
7. Services of a Professional ENGLISH Speaking guide-driver
8. Accommodation and meals as specified in the itinerary – FB while on Safari
9. All game drives as specified in the itinerary
10. Flying Doctors cover
11. Park Entry Tickets to Samburu Game Reserve, Mount Kenya National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, and the FAMOUS Masai Mara Game Reserve
QUOTE EXCLUDES
1. International or Domestic Flights, Visa Fees and all Personal Expenses such as Drinks, Laundry, Telephone, tips to hotel staff, gratuities to Driver/Guide etc
2. Travel Insurance – we strongly recommend that comprehensive travel insurance be purchased for the duration of your journey to protect against any missed or delayed flights, illnesses etc that may cause cancellation of your travel plans.
3. Any expense not expressly specified above.
Accommodation Information
Samburu Sopa Lodge
Samburu Lodge is situated on the Uaso Nyiro River bank with a backdrop of mountains and indigenous animals unique to the region. Samburu Lodge offers a wide choice of accommodation spread up and down the river in cottages, bandas and single or twin rooms. All rooms face the river and are complete with a four poster mosquito net.
The dining room is open on the riverside with long tables and large buffets. The Crocodile Bar overhangs the water and is a great vantage point for the nightly feeding of the crocodiles. Enjoy a full day’s drive viewing a whole range of animals including the grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuks and beisa oryx, rarely found elsewhere. Birding is also excellent.
During the day you can splash out in the pool and enjoy sundowners as the sun sets while watching the traditional dances of the Samburu warriors. The nocturnal leopard may silently arrive, attracted to the fresh meat baited in a tree across the river, giving you a great sight for your stay.
Sarova Shaba Lodge
Located in the Samburu National Park is Sarova Shaba. The park is home to a host of wildlife unique to the area, including the reticulated giraffe, grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, oryx and ostrich. Sarova Shaba is an oasis of flora and fauna with sparkling spring water flowing and cascading through the grounds.
The lodge facilities include 80 thatched roof bedrooms and four luxury suites, all including private toilet and bathroom with shower and hot and cold running water. Mosquito nets, fans and electricity are also standard. The superior suite has a Jacuzzi for you to relax in style after a day of game viewing.
There is also a restaurant, two bars, and a swimming pool featuring a waterfall, laundry service, and curio gift shop. Game drives in four-wheel drive vehicles, conference facilities for up to 100 people, camel safaris and a medical clinic add to the facilities you can make use of. If you’d like to explore the Samburu wilderness, this lodge is an ideal base for those with a sense of adventure.
Elephant Bedroom Camp
Set on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu National Reserve surrounded by doum palms and other beautiful indigenous trees and shrubs sits this small and exclusive camp of 12 luxury tents – all furnished in rustic African style while offering all the comforts expected of a luxury Camp (hot & cold running water, electricity and herbal products).
The lounge and dining area offer vibrant safari colours with original oil paintings, soft intimate lighting designed to relax guests returning from an exciting game drive. Huge herds of elephant, prides of lion or the solitary leopard amongst other game are regular visitors around the camp providing excellent game viewing in spectacular scenic background of rugged rolling hills.
Dining is a culinary experience with al-fresco breakfast, 3 course lunch and 4 course candle lit gourmet dinner set either under the African sky or inside the well appointed dining area.
Mountain Lodge
Located at 2,194 metres on the slopes of Mount Kenya, Serena Mountain Lodge is surrounded by a dense rainforest that comes alive at dusk with a myriad of sounds that make the African bush so special and exhilarating.
Considered the most spectacular forest waterhole in the Aberdares, the lodge’s waterhole presents a constant ballet of wildlife.
Just two and a half hours by car from Nairobi, this stunning area is towered over by the rocky peaks of Mount Kenya and prides itself in having one of the most consistently high records of big game ‘visits’ and sightings. Elephant, buffalo, rhino and waterbuck are regular sights on the evening and day game drives.
At any other time of the day you can spot game in the specially-constructed viewing bunker that is connected to the lodge by a short tunnel. Here you will get spectacularly close to the animals that feed at the waterhole. The lodge has 42 attractive bedrooms furnished with indigenous wood and African art, each with private bathroom. A spacious verandah also overlooks the waterhole where there is never a dull moment.
Arrangements can be made for forest walks that are a unique experience with their on-foot sightings of game and bird life. These walks can even be prolonged to the top of Mount Kenya for the very daring and sporty.
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Located on a range of hills that form the western limits of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, the lodge offers spectacular views over the vastness of Africa. It also overlooks Lake Nakuru and its surrounding National Park, one that is a paradise for bird watchers and wildlife lovers alike.
The new lodge has 54 Twin/Doubles, 6 Single and 2 Wheelchair Rooms. The lounge, bar and dining room have extensive outdoor but sheltered terraces. The infinity-view swimming pool overlooks the lake and has its own bar.
Sarova Lionhill Lodge
Situated in the heart of the Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s most famous soda lakes. A major feature of this park is the birdlife, particularly the thousands of flamingos. A rhino sanctuary also provides the opportunity to see the greatly endangered black rhino.
Sarova Lion Hill overlooks the lake, offering a unique vantage point. Each of the 64 superbly appointed chalets has a separate lounge and secluded verandah with views over the lake and the distant hills. They offer a private toilet and shower, mosquito nets and electricity.
The lodge restaurant and bar open onto a large viewing deck with panoramic views. The lodge also has a swimming pool, sauna, laundry service, curio and gift shop, conference facilities and a medical clinic. Game drives in four wheel drive vehicles are offered and each night, guests are treated to a performance of traditional dance.
Mbweha Camp
Tucked away in the spectacular vastness of The Great Rift Valley on a private 6400 acre Congreve Conservancy, Mbweha Camp is nestled up against the southern border of Lake Nakuru National Park with beautiful views of the Eburu and Mau Ranges.
Ten cottages built of lava stone and thatched makuti roof add glamour and style to its contemporary African ambience with clever use of indigenous artefacts, fabric and modern cooking pots. Every cottage, styled individually, is surrounded by Candelabra Euphorbia, yellow barked Acacia and other indigenous trees that provide a relaxed atmosphere as you listen to the African night sounds of a lion roar or the laughter of the hyena in the distance. Bush walks, night game drives, sun-downer or bush breakfast and hot air ballooning over the spectacular Great Rift Valley and the lakes below are additional activities that you can enjoy and enhance your stay in truly remarkable and authentic African setting.
Mara Sopa Lodge
Set in the Oloolaimutia valley the lodge blends in perfectly with its surrounding hillside landscape. The accent here is on the Masai people and the fabulous wealth of wildlife, birdlife, and natural flora to be found in the fabled Masai Mara Game Reserve
We have earned a well-deserved reputation for the friendliness and care offered to our guests by our management and staff. This is one of the most important aspects of the style and service offered by each and every SOPA destination
The lodge has 200 beds by way of 77 rooms, 12 suites and 1 Presidential suite, all of which are ‘rondavel’ style and have en-suite bathroom facilities which provide shaving sockets and hairdryers. Every room and suite has a private, elevated veranda with splendid views across the valley and on which guests can relax, sunbathe and watch resident birds and wildlife. Mini-bars are also available in each room
The lodge has direct-dial telephone facilities as well as satellite television and video options. Lodge generators provide 240volts, 50 cycles 24 hours a day. Our water supply comes from nearby springs but guests are advised not to drink from the taps. Instead, filtered water is provided in flasks in every room and bottled water is available for sale. We welcome kids of all ages and can provide both special meals at convenient times and baby sitters on request. Our Guest Shop stocks a wide selection of curios, gift items, clothing, film and toiletries. The lodge has a freeform, fresh-water pool which offers spectacular views over the valley. We can supply both petrol and diesel fuels and can carry out most minor repairs.
Sarova Mara Camp
Situated just outside Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, which is indisputably the richest game sanctuary in Kenya. The great expanse of plains set against the distant hills provides a unique backdrop from which to enjoy the magnificent wildlife. The area is world-renowned for its annual wildebeest migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania.
The camp is set on an elevation surrounded by two streams and hidden amidst wide gardens with manicured lawns and exotic flowers. Facilities include a dining area that has internal and external seating and two bars, one internal with a fireplace and the other near the poolside. There is a swimming pool and curio shop. There are three tents which can be used to seat up to 300 conference delegates.
The camp consists of 75 tents, of which three are permanent triple rooms. All rooms have 24-hour electricity and a private en suite bathroom with a shower and hot and cold running water. Game drives are done in a four-wheel drive vehicle, and bush dining and sundowners are offered. Evening entertainment includes two resident guitarists who play by the fireside and traditional Masai dancers. Balloon safaris can be arranged at an additional cost.
Tipilikwani Luxury Tented Camp
As the maxim goes: Location! Location! Location! Set on the banks of the Talek River and overlooking the Mara plains, Tipilikwani Camp has one of the most spectacular views available. Set in the middle of what is considered the greatest wildlife reserve in Africa, Maasai Mara is home to one of the modern wonders of the world; the wildebeest migration as well as home to the Big Five. Enjoy an alfresco breakfast by the Talek River or a cold refreshing drink over a spectacular sunset or experience fine dining by candlelight all overlooked by carefully trained attentive staff. During the day, search for lions, cheetah, elephant, leopard, black rhino, giraffe, zebra, hippo and over 500 resident bird species including larks, sunbirds and the Lilac- Breasted Roller This is the Tipilikwani Experience.
Location and Park information
Samburu, Shaba & Buffalo Springs Game Reserves
In the arid North of Kenya, water means life. The waters of the great Ewaso Nyiro river draw wildlife in great numbers to its banks, creating an oasis of green. This river flows through three great northern reserves, Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba. This is spectacular country, set against a backdrop of the mighty Mountain Ol Olokwe.
The verdant riverine forest is a stark contrast to the arid thorn studded plains. Samburu is visited by large herds of Elephants, drawn by the promise of water. In the dry season, the elephants use their tusks to dig deep into the dry river beds, unearthing precious water. These waterholes then become a focal point for other game. The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic Northern species, including Gerenuk, the Reticulated Giraffe, and Grevy’s Zebra. The forests along the river banks are home to many birds, including local species such as the Palm Nut Vulture and the Vinaceous Dove. These forests are also home to many Leopards, often seen at dusk. The sight of one of these beautiful and elusive creatures is always a rare treat.
Lions are also frequently seen on the riverbanks, and Cheetah can be found on the open plains. On rare occasion, packs of African Hunting Dogs are sighted passing through the reserve. Shaba was where Joy Adamson, author of Born Free spent her final years, returning a leopard to the wild. This was the subject of her final book, Queen of Shaba.
More recently, Shaba served as the location for the hit series Survivor Africa, which pitted its contestants against the challenges of this wild remote country. The Ewaso Nyiro is also an important water source for the Samburu villages surrounding the reserves. The Samburu culture is a truly fascinating one, sharing a great deal of ancestral and linguistic ties to the Maasai. The Samburu are herders of Camels and Goats, and are often seen on the reserve boundaries bringing their animals to water.
In areas around the reserves, there are several private sanctuaries working closely with the Samburu to protect both their tribal lands and the local wildlife. These sanctuaries are open to guests, and are well worth visiting for those interested in Samburu culture. The entire Samburu region is a place of breathtaking and magical beauty, a place where the vision of a deep red sunset silhouetting the doum palms along the river as a leopard emerges to hunt brings the perfect end to a day on safari……
Mount Kenya & the Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park is located 175 km from Nairobi and was opened to visitors in December 1949. It covers an area of about 715 square kilometres around Mt Kenya, between altitudes of 11,000ft and 17,058ft above sea level. Mount Kenya, or “Kere Nyaga” as the Kikuyu call it, meaning the Mountain of Brightness, rises to 5,199m above sea level and is the second highest mountain peak in the entire continent of Africa. Mount Kenya attracts mountain climbers, and there are routes of varying degrees of difficulty that lead to the top, all offering spectacular scenic beauty.
The park was opened to visitors in December 1949. Spectacular scenery is an important aspect of the park, with lovely lakes, tarns, glaciers, peaks and natural mineral springs in the area. The vegetation naturally varies according to the height. Dry upland forests are found in the lower slopes, which change to mountain forest from 2,000m upwards. This forest generally consists of cedar and podo. The vegetation changes to a thick bamboo forest at around 2,500m which, in turn, changes to the upper forest of smaller trees and high altitude moss. Visitors can observe a variety of plants (of at least 11 species) and animals including the black and white Colobus, Sykes monkey, bushbuck, buffalo, and elephant. At lower altitudes, animals like the olive baboon, waterbuck, and black rhino, black fronted, duiker, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cat, bush pig and hyena are found. A rare sighting is the elusive bongo, a forest antelope. Other endangered species found in the forests include the Sunni buck, Mt. Kenya Mole Shrew, skins (lizard), and different types of owls. The albino zebra is another less frequent sighting.
The forests give way to high altitude heath and shrubs between 3,000m and 3,500m altitude. Above 3,500m there is open moorland, where animals like the high altitude zebra and eland are to be found.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park covers 188 sq kms and is dominated by the shallow waters of the lake at it’s centre. The lake itself is about 62 sq km and the birdlife is superb, with over 450 species recorded. Lake Nakuru is especially famous for its concentrations of greater and lesser flamingos and pelicans, which at certain times of year number in the millions.
The landscape surrounding the lake is a picturesque combination of savannah, marshes and woodland which supports a good variety of wildlife. Tree climbing lions, buffalo, waterbuck, Burchell’s zebra, hippo, baboons, impala and Rothschild’s giraffe can all be seen, and Nakuru is recognised as one of the best places in the country for daytime leopard sightings. The national park is also one of Kenya’s premier rhino sanctuaries, with good numbers of breeding white and black rhino.
Lake Nakuru national park is 2 hours drive north of Nairobi, and is accessible using 2-wheel-drive vehicles. A leisurely drive around the lake takes about 3 hours.
Masai Mara Game Reserve
Probably the most famous of the reserves, the Masai Mara, in Kenya’s south western corner, boasts an astonishing amount of game. Unfenced, the Mara is bounded in the east by the Ngama Hills and in the west by the Oloololo or Siria Escarpment. Gazelle, wildebeest and zebra graze in large numbers and where prey is found so are predators. Not only is this a great place in which to find game, but the wide greeny-gold savannahs spotted with thorn trees make it ideal for photography. The Mara, as it is known in Kenya, is ravishingly beautiful and also offers long, undisturbed views and utterly dramatic panoramas. The weather really means something here. The sun may beat down unforgivingly, huge clouds in fabulous shapes may sweep across the widest of skies, the wind ripples the grasses as though they are stroked by a giant hand. The landscape is stunning.
The famously black-manned Mara lions are possibly the stars of the Mara show, but cheetah, elephant, kongoni, topi, Thompson’s gazelle, waterbuck, hyena, and primates are all here too. As with the rest of Kenya, the birding is good. There is no settlement within the reserve however; the Mara is in theory owned by the Maasai, pastoralists and, in earlier times, renowned lion-killers. Lodges and hotels offer the opportunity to buy their beadwork, checked cloths and copies of their spears. It is said that if lions scent approaching Maasai on the breeze they move swiftly in the opposite direction.
Famously, the Mara is the northerly end of the Great Migration, that great primeval surge of wildebeest, zebra and antelope that sweeps in from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara as the Tanzanian grass starts to fail. They are tracked by the large predators that pick off the weak, the stragglers and the young. The great herds, nearing their destination by July, mass along the Mara River pushing, shoving and fantastically noisy, just waiting for the first animal to cross so that they can all follow, lemming-like, on the final leg of the journey. However, crocodiles lie in wait, sluggishly cruising the waters, fully prepared for their best meal of the year. Many fail in the life-and-death struggle – drowned, eaten by the crocodiles or, made careless or weak by their stressful swim, brought down by lions. The Masai Mara is terrible yet wonderful, and not to be missed.
Nairobi
It is impossible to believe that just over 100 years ago the only visitors to the area which is now Nairobi were the Maasai tribe, who used to water their cattle at a “boggy waterhole”. They called it Enkare Nyarobi – literally ‘the place of cold water’. In the dying years of the 19th century as the Uganda railway forged its way through Kenya, the area became a railhead for the assault on the eastern wall of the escarpment. Because of the swampy surroundings, the railway workers camps rapidly turned into a shanty town, inhabited by rats which brought the plague, and it is doubtful if anyone could envisage that one day this would become the ‘City in the Sun’
Between the 1903 and 1908 potential settlers arrived in Kenya responding to the promise of cheap agricultural land (which did not strictly belong to the government to give away) and many wealthy sportsmen arrived to hunt the game. Hotels sprang up to cater for the visitors and the base for the valuable tourist industry was laid during those early years.
In 1950 Nairobi became a City by Royal Charter, the streets ablaze with flowering trees and shrubs and to this day the flowering jacaranda trees in the later months of the year are one of Nairobi’s great attractions.
Nairobi is now a city of around 3 million people and the heart of the commerce and industry for the whole of East Africa. Over the years the city has developed with modern infrastructure, the expected high rise buildings, tourist hotels and many places of entertainment. Additionally Nairobi has a near perfect climate, lying 144 km south of the equator at an altitude of 5451ft (1662m) and 494 km from the shores of the Indian Ocean. The city has maintained its cosmopolitan ambience which is apparent, not only in the different races and communities who work in and around the city, but also in the architecture and variety of religious buildings, churches, temples, mosques, synagogues.
The range of attractions and places to visit are amazing. A typical day could perhaps start with a tour of the city, including visits to the excellent Railway Museum with its records of the history of the railway (which is also the history of the country). Here visitors may see the carriage from which an unfortunate Superintendent for the Railway was dragged by a man-eating lion in the year 1900.
The National Museum of Kenya has fine exhibits of East African fauna, birds, fish and reptiles as well as collection of cultural merit. An organised tour may also include visits to the City Hall and Law Courts, the bazaars and the markets with their colourful displays of locally grown fruit and flowers as well as handicrafts and many different centres of worship, including the spectacular Jamia Mosque. A visit should be paid to the Memorial Park, created in memory of the many victims of the inhumane bombing of the American Embassy and nearby buildings on 7 August 1998. This is the only city in the world which has a National Park on its doorstep, and within a short drive visitors enter completely a different world – the Nairobi National Park. Lion, cheetah, buffalo and rhino as well as more common plains game like gazelles, zebra, ostrich and giraffe live within the park.
Many will have heard of the film ‘Out of Africa’ which starred Meryl Streep as Karen Blixen and Robert Redford as her lover, Denys Finch Hatton. The well developed suburb of Karen takes its name from the author, and any visit to this area should include a visit to her old home set ‘in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills’.
A short distance away, the Giraffe Centre, where the history of the endangered Rothschild Giraffe (which include the famous “Daisy Rothschild”) can be studied and the descendants of the family can be fed, will also appeal.
A morning visit can be paid to the famous Daphne Sheldrake orphans, tiny elephant, rhino and occasionally a kudu which have been rescued from the wilds and are brought up until they are capable of returning to the bush.
Within the environs of Nairobi there are several excellent golf courses (one running alongside the main highway opposite the city centre); a proliferation of social clubs offering facilities for cricket, tennis, field hockey, squash, rugby and swimming and a popular race course set alongside the indigenous forest.
The unique and popular Carnivore spit roast complex on the edge of the game park offers game meat as a speciality, in addition to the more normal roasts expected by dedicated meat-eaters.
As a ‘Safari capital’ of East Africa, Nairobi has more than enough to entertain any visitor for several days, either before of after their planned safari.
